Bad Elements

Gary Alexander does it again, another experimental novel that will tickle your intellect while it plucks at your emotions. Using the periodical table as its framework, this story unfolds element by element. “You’ll have a hard time pigeonholing this book,” editorial director Hollis George said of Alexander’s last novel. “But you’ll be talking about this innovative work for weeks after you finish reading it.” With this new novel, he says, “Ditto.”

Alexander has written a dozen and a half novels and more than 150 short stories. One story appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2010, another in Ice Cold, last year's Mystery Writers of America anthology. Alexander is a nonsmoking, nondrinking vegetarian. He does, however, abuse caffeine and chocolate.